Impact of a Bi-annual CDTI on the Incidence of Epilepsy in an Onchocerciasis-endemic Area
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2022-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease associated with epilepsy, particularly in
areas of high Onchocerciasis volvulus transmission. Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy is
characterised by seizures that start between the ages of five to 18 years. The tropical
disease can be controlled through community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi).
Mahenge, in Tanzania, had a high prevalence of onchocerciasis and epilepsy despite more than
20 years of annual CDTi. Hence, the Tanzanian Neglected Tropical Diseases Control Programme
has switched from annual to bi-annually CDTi since 2019. After this switch, the CDTi coverage
increased and was sustained in both ivermectin rounds in 2021, and the number of new epilepsy
cases decreased. The latter were persons who did not take ivermectin the year they had the
first seizures. Hence, all ivermectin-eligible children at risk of onchocerciasis should take
ivermectin at least annually. Overall, increasing the frequency and coverage of the CDTi
programme should be considered in onchocerciasis-endemic areas with a high prevalence of
epilepsy.